CHAPTER SIX
1132 Words
The ride back from the courthouse was silent.
Emily sat in the back seat, staring out the window as the city moved past in a blur.
Cars, buildings, people rushing along the sidewalks—life in Aurora City continued as if nothing had changed.
But for Emily, everything had completely changed.
Across from her, Daniel sat with the folder from the court hearing still in his hands. He had been flipping through the documents again and again, searching for something that could give them an advantage.
Finally, he closed it because he couldn't find anything yet.
“The board vote tonight is the real problem,” he said.
Emily didn’t turn away from the window.
“I know.”
“If they remove you permanently…”
He didn’t need to finish his sentence before Emily could understand him.
If the board replaced her as CEO, the damage would be worse than losing the court hearing. Even if she later proved Gael’s accusations wrong, reclaiming her position would be nearly impossible.
Her phone vibrated again and it was another notification from a news headline.
Empire Tech Board to Review Leadership Amid Financial Investigation.
Emily stared at the article for a moment before locking the screen.
“Media already knows about the vote,” she said quietly.
Daniel frowned.
“That means someone leaked it.”
Emily finally turned her head toward him.
“Someone on the board.”
Daniel leaned back slightly.
“Or Gael.”
Emily didn’t respond.
Because either possibility was bad.
The car slowed as it approached Daniel’s office building.
When they stepped out, the air outside felt heavy.
Inside the office, Daniel’s assistant looked up immediately.
“Mr. Hart, the board requested a conference call at four.”
Daniel checked his watch.
“That’s in less than an hour.”
Emily walked straight toward the conference room and Daniel followed her immediately.
“You’re not planning to attend that meeting, are you?” He asked.
Emily placed her bag on the table and turned to face him.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because they’re already leaning toward removing you.”
“Then they should at least hear from me first.”
Daniel studied her expression.
“You’re exhausted Em.”
Emily gave a faint smile.
“I’ve been through worse.”
He didn’t bother to argue any further because he knew that once Emily made up her mind, there was no changing it.
Four o’clock came quickly.
The large screen at the end of the conference room flickered to life as the video call connected.
One by one, the board members appeared.
Some looked uncomfortable and some looked guared.
A few didn’t meet Emily’s eyes at all.
The chairman of the board, Mr. Whitmore, cleared his throat.
“Emily.”
“Mr. Whitmore.” She replied.
“I assume you’re aware of the purpose of this meeting.”
“Yes,I am.”
Whitmore nodded slowly.
“The situation surrounding Empire Tech has become… unstable.”
Emily remained calm.
“The accusations against me are false.”
“That may be,” Whitmore replied
carefully. “But investors are reacting to the headlines.”
One of the other board members spoke next.
“We’ve lost nearly fifteen percent of our market value in forty-eight hours.”
Another added,
“Shareholders are demanding stability.”
Emily leaned forward slightly.
“And you believe removing me will provide that stability?”
No one answered immediately.
Which gave enough answer.
Daniel spoke then.
“The court hasn’t ruled on Mr. Hayes’s claims yet. Removing Emily now would be premature.”
Whitmore sighed.
“But the board must consider the company’s survival.”
Emily felt anger rise in her chest, but she kept her voice steady.
“I built this company with my all.”
Whitmore nodded
.
“Yes, you did.”
“And you’re prepared to hand it over to the man trying to destroy it?”
Another board member shook his head quickly.
“This isn’t about Mr. Hayes.”
Emily held his gaze.
“Isn’t it?”
Silence filled the room again.
Whitmore spoke slowly.
“We are voting tonight on a temporary leadership change.”
Emily’s fingers tightened slightly on the table.
“Temporary,” she repeated.
“Yes.”
“And who exactly would take my position?”
Whitmore hesitated at first.
Then he said the name.
“Mr Gael Hayes.”
Daniel’s chair scraped against the floor as he stood abruptly.
“That’s completely unacceptable.”
Whitmore didn’t react.
“Mr. Hayes already holds partial executive authority under the signed agreements.”
Emily felt the weight of those words like a stone pressing down on her chest.
The documents she had trusted Gael enough to sign were used against her.
Whitmore continued.
“Until the investigation concludes, the board believes this arrangement will calm the market.”
Emily slowly stood up.
“So let me understand this.”
“The man who started this attack is now your solution to it.” she said calmly
Whitmore didn’t answer.
Because there was no good answer.
The call ended shortly after.
Emily stood there for a long moment, staring at the blank screen.
Daniel spoke first.
“They’ve already decided.”
Emily nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
“And if the vote passes tonight…”
“He becomes CEO.”
The words felt strange even as she said them.
Daniel ran a hand through his hair.
“We need another plan.”
Emily picked up her bag.
“We already have one.”
Daniel frowned.
“What do you mean?”
Emily walked toward the door.
“Gael believes he’s winning.”
Daniel followed her into the hallway.
“And he might be.”
Emily stopped walking.
Then she turned to look at him.
“Then we make him believe that.”
Daniel stared at her for a while.
“You’re letting him take control?” He asked.
Emily shook her head slightly.
“No.”
Her voice dropped.
“I’m letting him think he already has.”
Daniel studied her expression carefully.
Because suddenly he realized something.
Emily wasn’t panicking anymore.
She was planning.
And when Emily Carter started planning…
People usually regretted standing in her way.
But as they walked toward the elevator,
Emily’s phone buzzed again.
She glanced at the screen.
And this time around, the message wasn’t from her financial manager.
It was from an unknown number and only one sentence appeared.
If you want to k
now who helped Gael betray you… meet me tonight…
Emily’s steps slowed.
Daniel noticed immediately.
“What is it?”
Emily looked down at the message again.
Her heart began to pound.
Because for the first time since this nightmare began…
Someone might finally know the truth.
- Writer
